xviii, 413 pages : 24 cm

In a comprehensive and original study of the early history of Islam, Wilferd Madelung describes the conflict that developed after the death of the Prophet Muḥammad, between his family, Hāshim, and his tribe, Quraysh, for the leadership of the Muslim community. He pursues the history of this conflict through the reign of the four 'Rightly Guided' caliphs to its climax in the first Inter-Muslim War. The outcome of the war, which marked the demise of the reign of the Early Companions, led to the establishment of dynastic despotism under the Umayyad caliphate and to the lasting schism between Sunnite and Shiʻite Islam. In contrast to recent scholarly trends, Professor Madelung emphasises ʻAlī's early claim to legitimate succession, which gained support from the Shiʻa, and offers a radical and convincing reinterpretation of early Islamic history after the death of Muḥammad. This important and original study will make a major contribution to the scholarship of the period and rekindle the debate over the succession to Muḥammad. -- Back cover

Includes bibliographical references (pages 388-393) and index

1. Abu Bakr: the Successor of the Messenger of God and the caliphate of Quraysh -- 2. Umar: Commander of the Faithful, Islamic meritocracy, consultation and Arab empire -- 3. Uthman: the Vicegerent of God and the reign of Abd Shams -- 4. Ali: the counter-caliphate of Hashim

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